McLaren's horrible Grand Prix weekend in Las Vegas, where championship leader Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were disqualified, blew the title race wide open ahead of the second-to-last race of the season in Qatar.
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen claimed a crucial win at the Lusail International Circuit, ahead of second-placed Piastri and fourth-placed Lando Norris. The Dutchman's win has left the standings in the World Drivers' Championship looking as follows:
1. Lando Norris (408 points)
2. Max Verstappen (396 points)
3. Oscar Piastri (392 points)
With Verstappen chasing a fifth title and the McLaren duo each hunting for a first, tensions around the competition have reached their highest point since the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
But how could the title be decided on Sunday? Flashscore lays out all title permutations ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Sunday, December 7th, 14.00 CET).
How Lando Norris can win the Formula One World Drivers' Championship
After finishing fourth in the Qatar Grand Prix, Lando Norris leads the Drivers' Championship with 12 points over Max Verstappen and 16 points over Oscar Piastri.
The Brit can win his first Formula One title by finishing third or higher, no matter what Verstappen or Piastri do.
If Norris finishes fourth or fifth, he needs Verstappen to finish second or lower. Piastri would not play a role in the title race.
If Norris finishes sixth or seventh, he needs Versatppen and Piastri to both finish second or lower.
If Norris finishes eighth, he needs Piastri to finish second or lower and Verstappen to finish third or lower.
If Norris finishes ninth, he needs Piastri to finish second or lower and Verstappen to finish fourth or lower.
If Norris finishes tenth or lower, he needs Piastri to finish third or lower, or Verstappen to finish fourth or lower.
How Max Verstappen can win the Formula One World Drivers' Championship
Red Bull's Max Verstappen trails Lando Norris by 12 points and leads Oscar Piastri by four points after winning the Qatar Grand Prix.
The Dutchman can win his fifth-straight Formula One title by winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and having Lando Norris finish fourth or lower.
If Verstappen finishes second, he needs Piastri to finish third or lower and Norris to finish eighth or lower.
If Verstappen finishes third, he needs Piastri to finish second or lower and Norris to finish ninth or lower.
How Oscar Piastri can win the Formula One World Drivers' Championship
Australian Oscar Piastri trails teammate Lando Norris by 16 points and Max Verstappen by four after finishing second in the Qatar Grand Prix.
The Aussie can win his first Formula One title by winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and having Lando Norris finish sixth or lower.
If Piastri finishes second, he needs Verstappen to finish fourth or lower and Norris to finish tenth or lower.
What happens if the top two finish tied on points?
If the top two drivers in the World Drivers' Championship are tied on points after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the driver with the most race wins in 2025 would win the title. Norris, Verstappen and Piastri are currently all on seven wins, however.
The next step would be the number of second-place finishes. Norris cannot be overtaken here after finishing as the runner-up eight times, as Verstappen follows with six second-place finishes.
While Verstappen and Piastri can't finish tied on points and finish as the top two drivers, Norris would have a tiebreak lead if none of the three win the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and if the Brit finishes tied on points with Verstappen or Piastri.
